WASHINGTON, Dec 11, 2010 (AFP) - US President Barack Obama on Saturday renewed his appeal to Congress to support his compromise tax deal with Republicans, saying he was refusing to treat middle class Americans like 'pawns."
In a deal announced Monday, Obama agreed to extend tax cuts for the richest sliver of US earners in return for doing the same for the middle-class and extend unemployment benefits for 13 months.
Many Democrats have denounced the compromise as an unnecessary giveaway to households that have prospered despite the painful recession and attacked the deal for swelling the already bloated US deficit and national debt.
"Now, I recognize that many of my friends in my own party are uncomfortable with some of what’s in this agreement, in particular the temporary tax cuts for the wealthy. And I share their concerns," the president said in his weekly radio address.
But he pointed out that over the long run, if Americans are serious about balancing the budget, "we cannot afford to continue these tax breaks for the wealthiest taxpayers -- especially when we know that cutting the deficit is going to demand sacrifice from everyone."
However, Obama noted that he could not allow the US middle class to be "caught in the political crossfire" of Washington.
"People want us to find solutions, not score points," he said. "And I will not allow middle class families to be treated like pawns on a chessboard."
As he urged lawmakers to approve the compromise, Obama said he was confident that they will do "the right thing, strengthening the middle class and our economic recovery."
So far, The White House and Republicans have resisted calls to change the deal, which would extend tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003 with a built-in January 1, 2011 expiration date when rates rise to their previous levels.
However, the US Senate was expected to take up its own legislation to enact the compromise, but with "some changes," according to a senior Democratic aide who did not elaborate.
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